Route 53 landmark in line for a makeover

After being closed for much of the spring, the Starland recreation complex in Hanover reopened quietly this past weekend under a new owner – one who has a new vision for the 30-acre site.

By Neal Simpson

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Neal Simpson

Posted Jun. 1, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 1, 2011 at 1:10 AM

By Neal Simpson

Posted Jun. 1, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 1, 2011 at 1:10 AM

HANOVER

» Social News

After being closed for much of the spring, the Starland recreation complex reopened quietly this past weekend under a new owner – one who has a new vision for the 30-acre site.

“A lot of the traffic we got was people going, ‘Is this place back open?’” said John Poirier, a Norwell resident and full-time police officer who is buying Starland for $2.7 million with several other investors.

The fate of the Route 53 landmark had been in doubt for the last several months as its former owner, his bank and a series of potential buyers worked toward a deal. And while the sale has not yet been finalized, the new owner said the bank has allowed him to take over the 50-year-old amusement park and begin making improvements.

So far, that has meant new plumbing, electrical work, landscaping and repairs to the second floor of the arcade building, which had been used for storage in recent years. But Poirier said he has much bigger plans ahead, including a sports complex that would be large enough to host youth tournament play.

Poirier isn’t saying much about his vision for the new complex, which he hopes to start building on the site of the existing driving range, but said it would include several new amusement-park features alongside multiple playing fields and courts for youth sports.

A Cambridge native, Poirier said he used to bring his children to Starland when he first moved to Norwell about 15 years ago. Now he wants to see the “deteriorated” park return to its former glory.

“We want to bring it back to its roots as a big family location, where the whole family can go,” he said. “There’s a beautiful synergy between the sports complex and the family fun center.”

While he awaits architectural plans and town approval for the sports complex, Poirier is already at work restoring part of the arcade building. He hopes to open a new snack bar on the second floor and is working with a new vendor to install more teen-oriented arcade games. The lower floor would be reserved for kid-friendly games, he said.

Poirier hopes to make other improvements as well, including replacing the park’s antiquated gas-powered go-carts with more modern electric ones by the end of the year.

Starland last changed hands in 2002, when developer Christopher Walsh purchased the park from its founder, Robert Kilmain, in hopes that the land would appreciate in value. Walsh has said he struggled to make money from the park, even after increasing the number of batting cages and miniature golf holes and adding a laser tag arena.